38 THK VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



Records of the birds noted in this district for the past two 

 years show a total number of 94 species, of which 75 were found 

 breeding. The paper was illustrated by lantern slides from 

 drawings of the birds described and photographs of their nests. 



In the discussion which followed, Mr. J. Cox called attention 

 to the tendency of young naturalists to shoot every bird they 

 came across. His remarks were endorsed by the chairman, who 

 urged that bird-life should be studied with as little indiscriminate 

 destruction as possible. 



A unanimous vote of thanks was accorded Mr. J. Searle for his 

 kindness in showing the views illustrating the two papers read. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



A note was contributed by Mr. T. S. Hart, M.A., giving 

 additional localities of Victorian orchids and referring to 45 

 species. 



Mr. R. S. Sugars read a newspaper cutting referring to the 

 curious discovery in the Port Darwin district of an inscription on 

 a baobab tree. 



EXHIBITION OF SPECIMENS. 



The following were the principal exhibits of the evening :— By 

 Mr. A. Coles. — Subcrested Honey-eater, Ptilotis cassidix, and 

 Death Adder, from New Britain. By Rev. VV. Fielder. — Glass- 

 rope Sponge (Hyalonema), with parasitic Palythoa, from Japan. 

 By Mr. C. French, F.L.S. — Butterflies — Nyctalemon monoctus, 

 Bindahara sugriva, and Ismene Doleschalli, from Queensland ; 

 Centra Australis, from New South Wales; and Ornithoptera 

 Urvilleana, from New Ireland. By Mr. C. French, jun. — Eggs of 

 the following birds, viz. : — Little Bittern, from Victoria ; Aus- 

 tralian Egret, from New South Wales ; Northern Swamp Quail, 

 Spotted Nightjar, White-shafted Ternlet, Double-barred Finch, 

 Harlequin Bronzewing Pigeon, and Sordid Kingfisher, from 

 North Queensland. By Mr. J. Gabriel. — Eggs of Spotted Bower 

 Bird, Chl'iviydodera maculata. By Mr. A. E. Kitson. — 

 Paper Nautilus, Argonauta oryzata, fish, ova, and shell, from 

 Spring Creek, near Geelong. By Mr. A. H. S. Lucas, M.A. — 

 Live lizards, from Sydney — Gytnnodactylus platyurus and Siajihos 

 cequalis ; spirit specimens from New Zealand — Naultinus elegans 

 (three varieties) and Liolepismn grande. By Mr. Jas. Mitchell. 

 — Specimens of Opal and Silica, comprising Siliceous Sinter, 

 Hydrated Opal, from Rotorua, New Zealand ; Wood Opal, 

 Hydrous Silica, from Snowy River, Gippsland ; Silicified Wood 

 Silica, from Queensland; Silicified Wood, from Ross River, 

 Tasmania ; and Brazilian Agate Silica, from Brazil, polished. By 

 Mr. J. Shephard. — Ephra stage of Medusa. By Mr. G. E. 

 Shepherd. — Owlet Nightjar, JEgotheles Novce Hollandim, Spotted 

 Owl, Ninox maculata, and Southern Stone Plover, (Edicnemus 

 grallarius. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



